'R1 million a month not true'

2010-07-26 07:52

Johannesburg - The Department of Public Works has denied that it is demanding R1 million a month for the rent of the South African Football Association's headquarters.

According to media reports, a letter outlining the above was sent by the Public Works to SAFA, with the rumours given credence after SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani admitted to receiving the correspondence.

The government body owns the site where the premises were built at a cost of R86 million.

Nematandani told The Dispatch: "I know about the communication between us and the Department of Public Works.

"This issue is receiving our attention and we are talking at the highest level."

But deputy director-general of corporate services Lucky Mochalibane has denied the claims.

"The Department of Public Works wishes to confirm that the land on which SAFA offices are built belongs to the State, of which the Department of Public Works is a custodian.

"The department notes with dismay persistent media allegations that the department has issued a letter to SAFA demanding R1 million in rent.

"This is simply incorrect.

"On the contrary, the department will be evaluating the property and only after that will we then determine fair market value of the property.

"Subsequently, the department will then enter into an agreement with SAFA to consider two options: long-term lease or outright purchase of the property by SAFA."

Football411

Comments

John Lekgothoane - 2010-07-26 08:36

Another blunder by SAFA

Roland - 2010-07-26 08:58

There goes the first part of the R1b that SAFA got/should get from SWC - looting has already started!

mike turner - 2010-07-26 09:35

And so it begins............

ajg - 2010-07-26 09:43

this only the start. waite utill all the other stadiums gets on board as well. the tax payers are going to pay plenty in monthly rentals and up keep

CPP - 2010-07-26 09:43

Agree with Roland - not even a month after the world cup final and the money is already being blown!! I for one will not be surprised that in a year from now the billion rand from FIFA will have been spent on enriching the officials and very little will be earmarked for development!!!
The gravy train rolls on - now in an even more luxurious form (The Gautrain!!!)

Bucs Faithful - 2010-07-26 11:00

Its shame how quick critics pounce on unreliable stories they read from tabloids. Why are you guys so negative? Why do you forward
CVs to SAFA and get those jobs of handling this R1b? I alwys thought foreigners were more negative but it appears locals are the worst. PSL season starts in less than 2 weeks please go out there and support our football and stop complaining about things you can never ever change.

Clive - 2010-07-26 11:26

What is with the talk of looting by SAFA?
If SAFA lease land then they should be expected to pay fair market rental like everybody else.
Not enough information to verify if R1Million/p.m. is fair or not. I would expect that the lease on the property was agreed prior to the building being erected.

Footballizer - 2010-07-26 11:42

Can't blame SAFA for this one, They needed funding to build Soccer city and they're headquarters next to it. But the government betrayed them and sold the rights to the precint to the stadium management company. Now SAFA are just tenants...unbelievable...